Tag: Trump White House super spreader event

Pentagon scrambles to retrace steps after White House COVID-19 outbreak

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The Pentagon is retracing the steps of its top brass after a positive coronavirus case among senior officials forced Defense Department heads into quarantine.

News of Coast Guard Vice Commandant Adm. Charles Ray testing positive, which came after he attended a Sept. 27 White House event, broke after Ray had met with several other senior leaders at the Pentagon last week.

The Defense Department has since raced to conduct contact tracing, highlighting the stark difference between the Pentagon and White House, where administration officials have been reluctant to reveal key timeline details after President Trump and top aides tested positive. Continue reading.

Kayleigh McEnany tests positive for coronavirus

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White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany announcedMonday that she tested positive for coronavirus.

Why it matters: She is the latest member of President Trump’s inner circle to be diagnosed with the illness over the last few days.

  • McEnany said that she is “experiencing no symptoms” in her announcement.
  • She added that “no reporters, producers or members of the press are listed as close contacts by the White House Medical Unit.”

Between the lines: McEnany’s positive test underscores a unique challenge for the White House as it battles its ongoing coronavirus outbreak because it may take days for people to test positive. Continue reading.

Trump’s COVID-19 case draws new attention to handling of pandemic

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President Trump has repeatedly downplayed the risks of the coronavirus and mocked his opponent, Joe Biden, for wearing a mask. Now, Trump himself has the virus and has been flown to Walter Reed Medical Center for treatment. 

Concerns are now mounting about the president’s health, though the White House said Friday he was hospitalized “out of an abundance of caution.”

Trump walked on his own power to and from the helicopter Marine One that took him to the hospital. The president, looking a bit pale, also tweeted a video from the White House in which he said he thought things were going well.  Continue reading.

After Republican COVID-19 positives, Senate to remain out until Oct. 19

McConnell previously said he expected senators to come back to Washington on Monday

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Saturday that he will seek permission for the Senate to remain out for two weeks instead of resuming work Monday, but hearings on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett will continue as scheduled.

“On Monday, I intend to obtain a consent agreement for the Senate to meet in pro forma sessions for the next two weeks. Previously-scheduled floor activity will be rescheduled until after October 19th,” the Kentucky Republican said in a statement.

McConnell said Friday in Kentucky he expected senators to come back to Washington Oct. 5, despite uncertainty surrounding their exposure to COVID-19 in the wake of the positive diagnoses of President Donald Trump and Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee. Since then, two more GOP senators, North Carolina’s Thom Tillis and Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson, revealed positive tests for the virus. Continue reading.

Christie tests positive for COVID-19 after helping Trump with debate preparation

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Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) has tested positive for COVID-19, he announced Saturday, making him the latest official in President Trump‘s orbit to contract the virus.

“I just received word that I am positive for COVID-19. I want to thank all of my friends and colleagues who have reached out to ask how I was feeling in the last day or two,” Christie tweeted. “I will be receiving medical attention today and will keep the necessary folks apprised of my condition.”

Christie was at the White House last Saturday for Trump’s announcement that he was nominating Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. The ex-governor was spotted interacting closely with others in the Rose Garden without a mask. Continue reading.

Here’s a list of White House officials who’ve been exposed to Trump — and will need to quarantine

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President Donald Trump testing positive for coronavirus has caused quite a shake-up in the White House as several officials and staff members will now be forced to quarantine in an effort to mitigate the spread of the virus. 

As reports began circulating about Trump’s White House advisor Hope Hicks testing positive, concerns were raised about the president and all of the other people who could have possibly contracted coronavirus after being in close proximity with Hicks. Not long after Hicks’ results were made public, it was confirmed that Trump and First Lady Melania Trump had also tested positive.

On Tuesday, several members of Trump’s administration traveled with him and Hicks to Cleveland, Ohio for the first presidential debate. During the event, Hicks and multiple members of Trump’s family were seen in close proximity of each other without masks. Continue reading.